• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Pretty Providence

  • Home
    • Newest Blog Posts
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
      • Cookies
    • Dinner
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
  • DIY & Crafts
    • Cricut
    • T-Shirts
    • Crafts
    • Decor
    • DIY Projects
  • Holidays
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • New Years Eve
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • 4th of July
  • TIPS
    • Tips
    • Organization
    • Family Life
      • Baby
      • Fun
      • Family
    • Travel
  • OCCASIONS
    • Gifts
    • Parties
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

Home » Tips » Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

Published April 17, 2019 Last Updated June 15, 2020 / By Jessica 147 Comments

Share this!

44459 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Reddit
Jump to Tutorial Jump to Video Print
Okay this laundry cheat sheet is LIFE CHANGING! Super easy reference guide on how to get out virtually anything- and knowing what all the symbols mean at a glance! Must save.
Easy DIY liquid laundry detergent in a 5 gallon bucket!

This homemade liquid laundry detergent is the best homemade laundry detergent ever! Save money on detergent without sacrificing quality!

gallon jug of diy liquid laundry detergent in a blue laundry hamper filled with clothesWe are so excited to share this DIY liquid laundry detergent recipe with you today. After a lot of trial and error, I feel confident I’ve found the best homemade laundry detergent recipe. We have actually tried homemade laundry detergent recipes twice before this one, and neither impressed me. In full disclosure, my first two attempts were for dry laundry detergent.

Why I Choose Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

I had almost given up on homemade laundry detergent completely, when my good friend Keesha texted me and said she had a recipe and wanted to make it together! I had my doubts, but she told me her mom and her sister had both been using this kind forever and swore by it, so I decided I would give it a go. Holy cow. I am in love with this homemade liquid laundry detergent, it is AMAZING!

Every time I open up the washer to switch loads, I am filled with joy because it smells fresh and clean. It also doesn’t leave gross residue, and gets out tough dirt and stains. Suffice it to say, this recipe is gonna shrink your laundry expenses considerably! 

Since everyone has to do laundry, here are a few of our other popular laundry related posts! Free Printable Laundry Cheat Sheet is great for remembering what gets out what stain! These DIY Laundry Organization Bags are the cutest for storing laundry during the week, and everyone should know How to Clean your Washing Machine.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Best Homemade Laundry Detergent

You ready for the easy recipe? 

diy liquid laundry detergent ingredients

DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent Ingredients

  • Fels-Naptha soap bar
  • Washing soda
  • Borax
  • Essential oils (optional)
  • Water

grated felt naphtha soap bar

After gathering your ingredients you will start by grating your Fels-Naptha soap bar. Here is what the Fels-naptha soap looked like after grating it.  You want to use the smallest grater that you have, so that it melts as quickly and easily as possible!Boiling water to make liquid laundry detergent! While you are grating your soap start four cups of water boiling. 

melting fels naphtha bar on stoveAdd your grated Fels-Naptha bar and stir over medium heat until soap is completely melted. 

filling a 5 gallon bucket with waterNext, fill your five gallon bucket up halfway with hot tap water. 

adding dry laundry detergent ingredients to five gallon bucketThen add your other dry ingredients and stir together. 

adding water to a 5 gallon bucket of liquid laundry soapFinally, fill your bucket the rest of the way with hot water and stir again. 

5 gallon bucket that said "liquid laundry detergent" in blue vinyl

Be sure to clearly label your containers so that everyone knows they contain a detergent. Also, if you have young children be sure to keep your laundry detergent in a childproof container or on a high shelf. Here is the gallon jar I used, and here is a good five gallon bucket! I also love this gamma seal lid! 

How much liquid laundry detergent does this recipe make? 

This recipe makes a 5 gallon tub of liquid detergent.  You only need 1/2 cup detergent for top loader machines and 1/4 for front loader machines per load! It’s easy to see how utilizing homemade laundry detergent can add up to a big savings! 

close up of laundry detergent on top of a hamper of dirty clothes

Shop this Post: 

Gallon Jug

5 Gallon Bucket

Gamma Seal Lid

 

If you make this recipe and like it we would love for you to leave us a comment and a positive rating, they mean so much to us!

Easy DIY liquid laundry detergent! I love this stuff, and it will save you so much laundry on detergent!

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

How to make Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent. This is so easy, the batch lasts a long time and is cheaper than any store-bought detergent!
4.82 from 11 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Active Time: 5 minutes
Resting Time: 1 day
Total Time: 1 day 25 minutes
Makes: 5 gallons
Author: Pretty Providence
Cost: $20

Video

Equipment

  • 5 gallon bucket

Materials

  • 4 cups boiling water
  • 1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
  • 1 cup washing soda
  • 1/2 cup Borax
  • essential oils (optional)
  • 5 gallon bucket

Instructions

  • Heat 4 cups of water until boiling.
    Boiling water to make liquid laundry detergent!
  • Grate your Fels-Naptha soap bar (I just used a cheese grater) and add to boiling water. Stir continuously over medium low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
    grated felt naphtha soap bar
  • Fill your 5 gallon bucket half full with HOT tap water, add melted soap, washing soda, and borax and stir well until all powder is dissolved.
    fill your bucket with water
  • Fill the bucket the rest of the way to the top with hot water, stir, cover, and let sit overnight to thicken.
    laundry soap add water
  • The next day, stir well and fill an old laundry detergent container with detergent.If desired, add your essential oils at this point! I use Doterra citrus bliss.
    Easy DIY liquid laundry detergent! I love this stuff, and it will save you so much laundry on detergent!

Notes

  • Shake well before each use, because detergent can separate a bit.
  • Top load machines use 1/2 cup per load, front load machines use 1/4 cup per load.
  • Here is the gallon jar I used, and here is a good five gallon bucket! 
Did you make this?Mention @prettyprovidenceblog or tag #prettyprovidence!

It’s SO easy and SO worth it you guys! I can guarantee you’re gonna be glad you tried this DIY liquid laundry detergent!

xo,

 

*This post was originally written September 1, 2014 and has been updated with new photos, video and more detailed text. 

Share this!

44459 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Reddit

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janice

    April 13, 2022 at 7:23 pm

    I have to use free and clear for my husband and I use the Arm & Hammer free & clear with Fabreeze! So will this work for us? Iam interested in trying!

    Reply
    • Sarah

      April 19, 2022 at 8:43 am

      I’m not sure if that will work but it’s worth a try! We love this detergent!

      Reply
  2. Christa Starkey

    March 22, 2022 at 12:54 pm

    I’m interested in trying this, but I have concerns about how much this would be cheaper in the long run, given this is a household of eight, with a special needs child who uses a load a day herself… As you can imagine, this is a lot of laundry per week. If this 5 gallon recipe only uses a half a cup per top load, the math adds up to about 160 top loads per five gallons. If I read right, it’s an entire bar of soap plus a small portion of the dried ingredients each five gallon. Are there any large capacity launders in the crowd that can help me visualize how far this method would go for my family?

    Reply
    • Jessica

      March 31, 2022 at 12:09 pm

      It is DEFINITELY more cost effective. All the ingredients used to make it once are cheaper than buying a gallon jug of laundry detergent one time, and most of them can be used multiple times. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

      Reply
    • Carolyn

      June 13, 2022 at 2:29 pm

      Christa the remaining boarax and washing soda will make at 3 more 5 gallons of detergent. You would only need to buy another bar of soap each time, which runs about $1.25 each. I actually disolve al little oxyclean in my recipe or add seperately to my laundry.

      Reply
  3. Darlene Bounds

    January 10, 2022 at 11:41 am

    Instead of having to grate the soap, I cut up a bar of ivory soap and put it in the microwave for a couple of minutes. it swells up like a marshmallow. I then let it cool and put it in a zip lock bag and squeeze it. it turns to dust. I usually put two bars to a recipe. you can then mix it with the other ingredient. I usually leave the water out and leave it as powder. you would then just use a table spoon or two to a load.

    Reply
    • Elle Taylor

      May 14, 2022 at 5:07 pm

      That’s awesome!

      Reply
  4. Melissa Fischer-Rasmussen

    October 10, 2021 at 5:59 pm

    I am so thankful I ran across your recipe! I’ve been using it for 2+ years now. Only once in an emergency have I resorted to store-bought. I don’t add oils and still LOVE the smell of my laundry. Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Sarah

      October 12, 2021 at 9:23 am

      That’s so great, thank you for letting us know! I really love it too!

      Reply
  5. Kerry

    October 08, 2021 at 9:40 am

    How much essential oils do you put in? I like my laundry detergent to have a strong scent

    Reply
    • Jessica

      October 08, 2021 at 4:22 pm

      You can put in as much or as little as you’d like! You can start with less and add more per load if you’d like a stronger scent.

      Reply
  6. Donna

    September 10, 2021 at 5:15 am

    I have been using this recipe for a few years now and just love it. So simple, yet so wonderful. Earth friendly too. Thank you for posting it.

    Reply
    • Jessica

      September 10, 2021 at 1:55 pm

      You just made my day! Thank you Donna, so glad you love it!

      Reply
  7. Sandra

    July 02, 2021 at 3:04 pm

    Hi girls awesome work.I’m going to try it out very door and get back to you guys. Thank you in so excited.

    Reply
    • Jessica

      July 03, 2021 at 9:12 pm

      Yay! Good luck!

      Reply
      • Wangui

        July 05, 2021 at 7:17 am

        Can the detergent be used for handwashing or only machine wash?

      • Jessica

        July 13, 2021 at 1:45 pm

        Yes, it can definitely be used for hand washing as well!

  8. Julie

    June 15, 2021 at 7:34 pm

    I’m also curious if you can use this in He machines

    Reply
    • Jessica

      June 21, 2021 at 1:57 pm

      Yes, you can! Mine are HE

      Reply
  9. Pam

    May 31, 2021 at 2:21 pm

    5 stars
    Sara and Jessica I’m sorry if I Jumped in and answered didn’t see anyone answer her.Thought I would answer her and I wasn’t supposed to you wouldn’t post it..Thanks again for your post I have really enjoyed it.I subscribed to you so I can get your post.. Thanks pam shepherd!!

    Reply
    • Jessica

      June 01, 2021 at 4:43 pm

      Of course! We always appreciate readers and their input! We were on vacation so it just took us a little longer to approve, but thank you so much for your review and for helping others out!

      Reply
  10. Pam

    May 31, 2021 at 2:11 pm

    5 stars
    I have been making this for years and use all ingredients except for the oils.mine always turns out thick and globby as you said but this is supposed to double as a 10 gallon because the ingredients you use are very good for stains.Sorry if I Jumped in and answered I didn’t see anyone answer her..I have never made the powder kind ..I don’t have kids at home now and never have much laundry.I will make the liquid detergent just because I really prefer it to the store bought and I really like the way it smells even though I don’t use any oils..Thanks for the Post.I have not finished reading it all yet but I do love new laundry detergent recipes.I even seen Homemade dish soap and bath soap now..I do enjoy making these..Thanks for posting This… Pam

    Reply
  11. Jackie

    January 21, 2021 at 4:33 am

    This is my second batch!!! Awesome!! Love it!! Soo much cheaper!! I make it for friends who work and don’t have time a for my 96 year old grandmother 😜👍

    Reply
  12. Marsha

    January 15, 2021 at 4:28 am

    Is this soap HE machine safe?

    Reply
    • Katherine

      May 03, 2021 at 8:20 am

      I also have this questions!? Is this recipe HE safe?

      Reply
  13. AS

    December 29, 2020 at 8:30 am

    hi is there any other soap bars one can use, we do not have what you suggest one to use

    Reply
    • PAM

      May 31, 2021 at 2:16 pm

      5 stars
      Yes.I have seen a pink or white bar you can buy it already ground up ready to use.its in the with the detergent I think it’s called castle 🧼..

      Reply
      • Glenna Cromer

        June 07, 2021 at 9:09 am

        I use grated Zote soap. It smells so good and works great! I love this recipe! I ran out of my homemade laundry detergent recently, and resorted to buying a $15 container of Gain. It didn’t last any time! Homemade is so much more cost efficient and earth friendly.

      • Linda D Goble

        June 07, 2021 at 3:35 pm

        You can try. Zote brand. Comes pink and white

  14. Jackie N.

    November 20, 2020 at 9:37 am

    5 stars
    Have used this for a long time. Love it.

    Reply
    • Jessica

      November 23, 2020 at 10:45 am

      Yay! That is so great to hear! Thanks Jackie!

      Reply
  15. Sue

    October 30, 2020 at 6:58 pm

    I made this an left it overnight per the instructions. When I went to use it it was “globby” wouldn’t stir and combine, so it would not all go down the feeder into the machine. What the heck did I do wrong? Pouring all the grated soap into the boiling water started
    The globfest but I stirred until it was melted. The rest was fine until the next day. Very weird. Suggestion?

    Reply
    • Kasey

      November 08, 2020 at 2:21 pm

      I have used this recipe many times and I dont let it sit overnight…. I usually go ahead and bottle it while it’s still warm because then it is easier to mix back together. Just leave enough room in your containers to shake it up.

      Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

about-pretty-providence  

Hey! We're Sarah and Jessica. We're BFF's and have known each other since we were 5 years old. This blog is our place to share all of our best recipes, tips, crafts and DIY projects.

You can read more about us on our about page and find us on instagram! We love making new friends.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Most Popular

Breakfast casserole with sausage, eggs, cheese and bell peppers on a white plate

World’s Best Breakfast Casserole

DIY desk made from two storage cube bookshelves and IKEA desk top with marble look

DIY IKEA Desk Hack

Iron-on t-shirt with Cricut collage of supplies needed, iron-on cut and weeded, and then the final shirt that says "#tired" in gold iron-on letters

How to Make a Shirt with Cricut

The Office birthday party table with decorations, food, balloons and "it is your birthday" sign

The Office Birthday Party

Teepee style blanket fort made with bedsheets and clothesline hung from a light fixture.

How To Build The Best Blanket Fort

German Pancakes just out of the oven, dusted with powdered sugar in a glass baking dish.

German Pancakes

CRICUT

cute first/last day of school whiteboard on a light blue background

Back to School Photoshoot Board

DIY tote bag canvas with a rainbow and the words 'I'll walk with you' in gold iron-on vinyl

Rainbow DIY Tote Bag

DIY Custom Napkins

coquette planter with eyelashes and pink lips with a plant that looks like hair tendrils coming out

DIY Coquette Face Planter

Breakfast charcuterie board with crepe toppings, fruit, spreads, bacon and powdered sugar

Crepe Toppings Breakfast Charcuterie Board

white painted herb markers on concrete with herb leaves around them

DIY Plant Markers

Footer

Copyright © 2012-2019 Pretty Providence | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Disclosures

44459 shares